RCMP confirm man found dead in house where two officers were shot

Killam shooting: RCMP confirm man found dead in house where two officers were shot

By Jana G. Pruden

EDMONTON — RCMP have confirmed that one man was found dead in the Alberta home where two officers were shot on Tuesday.

The police say they are still searching for an armed suspect. They have named him as Sawyer Clarke Robison, 27.

Two officers from the Killam RCMP detachment were shot when they attempted to execute a search warrant for a .45 calibre handgun at a rural home about 10 kilometres southeast of Killam on Tuesday afternoon.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb said the two officers are out of surgery and are listed in stable condition in Edmonton hospitals. One of the officers, Const. Sid Gaudette, was originally from the Lethbridge area, friends said. One suspect died in an exchange of gunfire with officers.

As the sun rose over the area on Wednesday, an RCMP helicopter circled overheard, while media trucks stood wait across the highway.

The stress of the ongoing situation was clear in the face of the RCMP officer guarding entry to the road that leaves to the scene.

“It’s been a long night,” he said. “A really long night.”

In the town of Killam, stories continue to circle about what happened, and who may be involved.

“We know what happened the first time — our members were shot,” Webb said. “We have all the patience in the world. We are not about to put anybody’s life on the line just to get a response.”

Area resident Cole Steadman said the two officers are well-known and well-liked in the community.

“They’re very involved in the community,” he said. “Everybody knows every single one of them.”

Steadman said the two men he believes were involved in the shooting are less well-known in the area.

“I would know the one guy to see him,” he said. “The other one I don’t know at all.”

Killam Mayor Bud James learned of the shooting as he emerged from the throne speech at the legislature in Edmonton.

“At this point all I’d like to say is that the RCMP officers in Killam are a big part of our community and they are friends and neighbours, and our hearts got out to them and their families at this time,” James said.

James was in Edmonton as a guest of Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths, who represents the area in the provincial government.

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“This is not just going to impact Killam, it’s going to impact all Albertans, because it’s a reminder of what happened in Mayerthorpe,” Griffiths said. “It’s a reminder of just how much our RCMP officers give. They are integral parts of our community, we see them every day. So it’s going to affect all Albertans, and our prayers are with them.”

The so-called “Mayerthorpe Massacre” happened seven years ago when James Roszko shot the four RCMP officers before turning the gun on himself.